Personal Injury Guide for Coral Springs, Florida Victims

Personal Injury Guide for Coral Springs, Florida Victims

Introduction: Why Coral Springs Residents Need Reliable Injury Guidance

From busy intersections such as University Drive (State Road 817) and Sample Road (State Road 834) to the high-speed traffic of the Sawgrass Expressway (State Road 869), Coral Springs sees its share of motor vehicle collisions, slips and falls, bicycle crashes, and other injury-causing events. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ annual traffic crash facts, Broward County reported more than 41,000 crashes in 2022 alone. While Coral Springs is consistently ranked among Florida’s safest cities, accidents still happen — often leaving victims unsure of their legal rights or the deadlines that can make or break a claim.

The purpose of this guide is to provide a strictly factual, Florida-specific overview of personal injury law with a slight emphasis on protecting injury victims. Every statute, rule, and procedure cited below is drawn from authoritative sources such as the Florida Statutes, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, the Florida Bar, and published opinions of Florida courts. No speculation is included, and any unverifiable claims have been omitted.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Rights in Florida

Negligence and the Right to Compensation

The cornerstone of most Florida personal injury cases is negligence. Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, a person or entity that fails to exercise reasonable care and thereby causes injury can be held liable for the victim’s damages. These damages may include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other economic or non-economic losses proven by evidence.

Comparative Negligence

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard for incidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023, pursuant to the amendment of § 768.81. If you share fault, your recoverable damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if the jury finds you 20 % at fault for a crash on University Drive, your total award will be reduced by 20 %. However, under the 2023 amendment, if you are found to be more than 50 % at fault, you generally cannot recover damages in negligence actions (medical malpractice claims have separate rules).

Statute of Limitations

Deadlines are strict. Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a) generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for negligence actions arising on or after March 24, 2023. Claims predating that date remain subject to the prior four-year deadline. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years (§ 95.11(4)(d)). If you miss the deadline, courts almost always dismiss the case regardless of its merits.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Florida

Motor Vehicle Collisions

Florida is a No-Fault insurance state for automobile accidents. Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, every driver must carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP pays 80 % of reasonable medical expenses and 60 % of lost wages up to the policy limit regardless of fault, but only if the injured person seeks medical treatment within 14 days of the crash.

• Serious Injury Threshold: To pursue pain-and-suffering damages against the at-fault driver, you must meet the threshold defined in § 627.737 — such as significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant scarring or disfigurement, or death.

• Local Hotspots: Coral Springs Police Department crash maps often highlight Sample Road near Florida Turnpike ramps and the Royal Palm Boulevard corridor as areas with higher collision frequencies.

Slip, Trip, and Fall (Premises Liability)

Under Florida Statutes § 768.0755, a business establishment is liable for a transitory foreign substance (like a spill) if it had actual or constructive knowledge and failed to take reasonable steps to remedy it. Evidence such as surveillance footage from Coral Square Mall or witness testimony is often critical in proving constructive knowledge.

Medical Malpractice

Claims against healthcare providers, including those at Broward Health Coral Springs, are governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 766. Plaintiffs must follow a presuit investigation process, obtain an expert affidavit, and file within the two-year statute of limitations in § 95.11(4)(b) (with limited tolling exceptions).

Dog Bites

Florida Statutes § 767.04 imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites that occur in public or when the victim is lawfully on private property, including the owner’s property. A « Beware of Dog » sign can limit damages if the victim is six years or older and the bite happened on the owner’s premises.

Florida Legal Protections & Injury Laws

Relevant Statutes

• Chapter 768 — Negligence: Governs general negligence, comparative fault, and damage caps (none for personal injury, except sovereign immunity)

• § 627.409 — Insurance Policy Misrepresentations: Important when insurers deny coverage

• § 627.428 — Attorney’s Fees: Allows insureds to recover attorney’s fees when they prevail in suits against their own insurer

• § 768.28 — Sovereign Immunity: Limits lawsuits against state or local government entities (e.g., Coral Springs city buses)

Litigation Procedure

• Complaint & Service: Filed in Broward County Circuit Court (17th Judicial Circuit) for claims exceeding $50,000, then served per Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.070.

• Answer & Defenses: Defendant has 20 days to respond under Rule 1.140.

• Discovery: Parties exchange interrogatories, requests for production, depositions, and medical examinations.

• Mediation: Courts in Broward County typically require mediation before trial (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.700).

• Trial: Jury trials in negligence cases are governed by Chapter 768 and procedural rules; damages and comparative fault questions are submitted on a special verdict form.

Damage Categories

• Economic: Medical expenses (past/future), lost income, loss of earning capacity, property damage

• Non-Economic: Pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life

• Punitive: Allowed under § 768.72 when there is clear and convincing evidence of intentional misconduct or gross negligence, subject to caps in § 768.73.

Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Florida

1 — Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Visit a qualified provider within 14 days to preserve PIP benefits. Nearby facilities include Broward Health Coral Springs on University Drive and Northwest Medical Center in Margate.

2 — Report the Incident

• Car Crash: Call 911. Coral Springs Police must file a crash report for injuries or property damage over $500 (see § 316.066).

• Slip and Fall: Notify store management and obtain an incident report.

• Dog Bite: File a report with Broward County Animal Care.

3 — Document Everything

• Photograph injuries, vehicles, and hazardous conditions.

• Gather contact information for witnesses.

• Keep medical bills, pay stubs, and correspondence from insurers.

4 — Notify Insurance Carriers

Most auto policies require prompt notice. Failure to comply can jeopardize coverage under § 627.409.

5 — Avoid Public Statements

Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys may monitor social media. Statements can be discoverable evidence under Rule 1.280.

6 — Consult a Licensed Florida Personal Injury Lawyer

Early legal counsel helps preserve evidence and meet statutory deadlines. Use the Florida Bar Lawyer Directory to verify licensure and disciplinary history.

When to Seek Legal Help in Florida

Indicators You Need an Attorney

• Serious or permanent injuries exceeding PIP limits

• Liability disputes or accusations that you are mostly at fault

• Denied, delayed, or undervalued insurance claims

• Complex cases involving multiple defendants, commercial vehicles, or governmental entities

Contingency Fees Explained

Florida attorneys may charge contingency fees subject to Rule 4-1.5(f) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Typical fees are 33⅓ %–40 % of the gross recovery, but must be in writing and signed by the client.

Ethical Obligations of Counsel

All Florida lawyers owe clients duties of competence, loyalty, and confidentiality under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Violations can be reported to the Bar’s Fort Lauderdale branch.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Emergency & Medical Facilities

• Broward Health Coral Springs — 3000 Coral Hills Dr., Coral Springs, FL 33065

• HCA Florida Northwest Hospital — 2801 N. State Rd 7, Margate, FL 33063

• Coral Springs Fire Department (EMS) — Dial 911 in emergencies

Court & Clerk Information

Broward County Clerk of Courts — File civil complaints, access dockets

• 17th Judicial Circuit Courthouse — 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Police & Crash Reports

Coral Springs Police Department — Request traffic crash or incident reports FLHSMV Crash Portal — Obtain statewide crash reports

Victim Services

• Broward County Victim Advocates — Assistance with compensation claims

• Florida Crime Victims’ Services — Compensation for certain violent crime injuries under Chapter 960

Additional Authoritative Reading

Florida Statutes Online Florida Bar Consumer Guide to PIP Florida Supreme Court Published Opinions

Legal Disclaimer

The information in this guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and every case is unique. Consult a licensed Florida attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and legal consultation.